Legal Tug-of-War: MNS Chief's Fate Awaits Decision

In Maharashtra's Thane district, a court has reserved its verdict until May 21 for a 2008 case involving the alleged assault on Railway Recruitment Board examinees at Kalyan station by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) activists. Among the eight accused is MNS chief Raj Thackeray. The trial has been prolonged, partly due to the demise of two accused.

After final arguments were concluded, Chief Judicial Magistrate Abhijit Kulkarni set the decision date. Defence lawyers, representing Thackeray and others, argued that the prosecution's case is weak, with insufficient evidence linking Thackeray to the alleged incident. They also highlighted contradictions in the prosecution's evidence.

The defence further questioned the validity of prosecutions' claims about provocative speeches and discrepancies in witness testimonies, including the inability of witnesses to identify the accused or provide exam-related documentation.

(With inputs from agencies.)